LOWELL — The Lowell Police Superior Officers Association used a letter to express “dismay and disappointment” in the alleged conduct of a Lowell teacher accused of assaulting a cop during Boston’s recent Straight Pride Parade.

Weighing in on the arrest of Marisa Shea, a Daley Middle School teacher and anti-parade protester, the letter to Lowell Public School Superintendent Joel Boyd and city officials states, “the citizens of Lowell, especially the children, are entitled to more.”

Lowell Police Association President and police Capt. Thomas Kennedy said the purpose of the communication was to convey an opinion and not request a certain action be taken against 33-year-old Shea.

“It’s not our job to dictate to the school department what sort of discipline, if any, is taken against this individual, and there’s nothing in the letter asking for that,” Kennedy said. “We’re expressing our opinion and our dismay that, first and foremost, someone in the school department is engaging in this type of activity, and secondly, what is she teaching the children?”

A total of 36 people were arrested during the Aug. 31 Boston Straight Pride Parade, according to Boston police. Shea was one of nine people charged with assault and battery on a police officer. Four police officers were injured during the event.

Kennedy acknowledges he has not read the police report involving Shea’s arrest, but said the accusations against her are troubling. Kennedy said Shea’s alleged actions seemed “very calculated.”

The Lowell Police Superior Officers Association letter, sent Thursday, references the oath of office taken by Lowell Police Officers, which is similar to oaths taken by police across the country. It includes a line calling on police “to enforce the law and uphold the nation’s constitution.”

The union letter, signed by Kennedy, states the First Amendment protects free speech, which includes hate speech and the right to speak against hate speech.

“The government charges the police with the responsibility to ensure citizen’s First Amendment rights are protected, and they are able to exercise their rights lawfully, without restrictions,” the letter states. “It appears that Ms. Shea is unclear on this concept, based on the charges lodged against her. It is troubling to this body that Ms. Shea’s ideas and concepts are being conveyed to public school children of tender age.”

Kennedy stressed the letter’s development followed discussion about Shea’s arrest among the Superior Officers Association. The group spent time drafting the letter, which included input from many members. A vote was taken to send the communication, which, aside from Boyd, was shipped to City Manager Eileen Donoghue, Mayor William Samaras and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross.

“We felt it was appropriate that we make a stand and let the school know how the union feels about it, and the fact this is a very serious situation,” Kennedy said.

The Lowell Police Superior Officers Association has not received any responses regarding the letter as of Saturday, according to Kennedy.

The school district acknowledged the charges against Shea last week, and said the incident is being reviewed. Latifa Phillips, the district’s chief equity and engagement officer also said last week the district has contacted the Boston Police Department and requested a copy of the report on Shea’s arrest.

When asked about the union’s letter and where the investigation into Shea’s conduct stood on Saturday, no details were provided by Phillips.

“Like any other personnel matter, we cannot comment further at this time,” Phillips stated in Saturday’s email. “But we always follow through with our established processes for reviewing matters brought to our attention.”

Mayor William Samaras confirmed on Saturday the district has not received a report from Boston police.

“We have to have the facts,” Samaras said. “We can’t do anything based on newspaper information, or what was on the radio. The information can be accurate, but we have to have in our hands what the facts are.”

An attempt to reach Shea by email was unsuccessful as of Saturday night.

Aaron Curtis is designated as the nighttime emergency response reporter throughout Greater Lowell. A native of upstate New York, Aaron Curtis previously worked as a reporter for upstate daily newspapers including The Palladium-Times, based in Oswego, and The Daily Messenger, located in Canandaigua. Aaron is a graduate of the State University of New York at Oswego.